Electric air taxis could soon be ferrying holidaymakers between the islands of Cabo Verde after Eve Air Mobility signed a letter of intent with Swiss aviation company Moov for up to 30 of its eVTOL aircraft.
The NYSE-listed firm, backed by Brazilian aerospace giant Embraer, joins rivals such as Bristol’s Vertical Aerospace and America’s Joby Aviation in chasing early commercial markets for electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, and it sees the African archipelago as a promising one.
The two companies will assess a spread of use cases, from sightseeing trips and shuttle runs linking airports, ports and resorts to regional connections across São Vicente, Santo Antão, Sal, Praia and Boa Vista. Medical transport and infrastructure inspections are also on the list.
Tourism is the engine behind the plan. According to the World Bank, arrivals in Cabo Verde hit an estimated 1.18 million in 2024, up 16.5% year on year, cementing the sector as one of the country’s key economic drivers. With the islands investing heavily in connectivity and visitor infrastructure, both firms reckon eVTOLs could slot neatly alongside existing transport networks.
“This LOI with Moov reflects Eve’s continued commitment to working with customers and partners that are building practical, high-value advanced air mobility use cases,” said Johann Bordais, CEO of Eve. “Cabo Verde offers a compelling combination of tourism demand growth, geographic diversity and infrastructure investment momentum, making it an exciting market to explore how eVTOLs can complement existing transportation networks and develop new segments.”
The Atlantic Gateway
Moov is an unfamiliar name even to aviation watchers. Incorporated in Switzerland and based in Lugano, the company is building what it calls the Atlantic Gateway, a new intercontinental network linking Europe, Africa and Latin America. Its founding and advisory team includes executives with experience at Azul, Modern Logistics, Swiss International Air Lines, Etihad Airways, FedEx and ASL Aviation Group.
“We believe Cabo Verde is uniquely positioned to benefit from innovative mobility solutions that enhance the visitor experience while supporting long-term connectivity and economic development,” said Captain Alvaro N. de Oliveira, Moov’s founder and CEO. “By working with Eve, we are exploring how eVTOL aircraft could complement our broader vision for aviation in the mid-Atlantic and open new possibilities for premium, efficient and sustainable transportation.”
The agreement covers exploration of advanced air mobility opportunities in Europe as well as Cabo Verde, and lands amid a programme of airport modernisation and public-private investment across the islands.
It is a useful vote of confidence for the wider sector too, which has seen fortunes diverge sharply. While Toyota has poured hundreds of millions into Joby, Rolls-Royce quit the electric flying taxi business altogether. Letters of intent are not firm orders, but for Eve, a fresh customer with airline pedigree and a clearly defined market is exactly the sort of signal investors want to see.
